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Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly leads the team onto the field for a game against Missouri State in September 2011 in Eugene, Ore. The NCAA has taken away a scholarship and placed Oregon's football program on probation for three years for recruiting violations under previous coach Chip Kelly. The NCAA's Division I Infractions Committee released a report today that found Kelly and the university failed to monitor the program.
(AP File Photo | DON RYAN)

Oregon will lose one initial scholarship, from a maximum of 25, in each of the next two academic years and had its total number of scholarships reduced by one from a maximum of 85 each of the next three seasons.

The NCAA also reduced Oregon's official paid recruit visits from 56 to 37 for the next three academic years, reduced its evaluation days for each of the next three seasons and banned the program from using recruiting services during the probation period.

The infractions committee found that Lyles provided cash and free lodging to a prospect, and engaged in impermissible calls and off-campus contact with prospects, their families and high school coaches.

It also said the football program allowed staff members to engage in recruiting activity, exceeding coaching limits.

The NCAA said Kelly was unaware of Lyles' involvement in recruiting, but the committee noted it is the head coach's responsibility to know the rules and ensure staff and coaches comply with them.

Under Kelly, the Ducks appeared in four straight BCS bowl games -- including a bid for the national championship against Auburn in 2011. Oregon finished 12-1 last season, capped by a victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl.

He was replaced by offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, who will make his debut as head coach Aug. 31.

Oregon was previously penalized by the NCAA in 2004 for a major violation involving the improper recruitment of a junior college player by an assistant coach. The university was put on probation for two years and the unidentified assistant coach was suspended without pay for a week and restricted from some recruiting activities.

The Ducks remained eligible for postseason play and did not lose any scholarships because of that violation, which occurred in 2003.